Multiple part key for conventional locks

ABSTRACT

A multiple part key includes an elongated extruded shank having a lock end portion for insertion into a conventional lock and an opposite end portion with indents for reception in a hilt portion. The hilt portion is formed of two parts which are movable relative to each other so that the shank, when assembled with the hilt portion, is locked in by movement relative to the hilt portion and with the two hilt parts movable relative to each other for the final locking procedure. As a further adjunct to this structure, a tamper proof cover for the key shank is provided with locking means which when tampered with will show, thus indicating a possible tampering with the key itself.

United States Patent 1 1 Gartner Oct. 15, 1974 MULTIPLE PART KEY FORCONVENTIONAL LOCKS Primary Examiner-Robert L, Wolfe 57 ABSTRACT Amultiple part key includes an elongated extruded shank having a lock endportion for insertion into a conventional lock and an opposite endportion with indents for reception in a hilt portion. The hilt portionis formed of two parts which are movable relative to each other so thatthe shank, when assembled with the hilt portion, is locked in bymovement relative to the hilt portion and with the two hilt partsmovable relative to each other for the final locking procedure.

As a further adjunct to this structure, a tamper proof cover for the keyshank is provided with locking means which when tampered with will show,thus indicating a possible tampering with the key itself.

11 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTED DU 1 51974 a.aa1'.,1au menu? 2MULTIPLE PART KEY FOR CONVENTIONAL LOCKS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThis invention relates to locks and, more particularly, to a multiplepart key for operating conventional locks.

Jan. 26, 1970 and now abandoned, and of my copending patent application,Ser. No. 138,675, filed on Apr. 29, 1971 and now U.S. Pat. No.3,729,965.

Prior to the aforementioned patent applications, a key was traditionallyformed of a one piece metal blank which had an elongaged shank portionfor insertion into a conventional lock and an enlarged handle endportion which was manually grasped for exerting a torque on the key toopen the lock. The shank portion was formed with longitudinal grooveswhich were typically extruded with transverse notches forfitting thetumblers of the conventional lock as is well known. One problemassociated with this type of construction is that in order to extrudethe grooves in the lock shank portion, it was necessary to extend thegrooves through the enlarged hand operated portion or hilt.

One attempt to obviate the disadvantages of a continuous extrusionthroughout the length of the key is found in the U.S. patent to Fricke,U.S. Pat. No. 3,349,589 issued on Oct. 31, 1967. In the embodimentsshown in this patent, there is disclosed a shank end portion and hiltwhich are assembled by pressing the hilt portion over the shank endportion of the key. However, in this construction, the hilt portion isas easily disassembled from the shank end portion as it is to assemblethe two together. It is desirable to provide an assembly wherein uponconnection of the hilt and shank end portions, it is rendered difficultto separate the two after assembly.

Another advantage of having a two part assembly is that various indiciaindicating the source of origins such as a motel or hotel can beimprinted on a plastic hilt portion which can then be selectively joinedwith the shank end portion.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention can be described as a multiplepart key for use in a conventional lock which includes a key shankhaving an end portion suitably shaped for insertion into a lock andhaving an opposite end portion for insertion into the hilt, the latterportion having means thereon for engagement by cooperating means in thehilt. A separate hilt means has a key shank guideway therein which opensto a surface thereof for receiving the opposite end portion of theshank. Resilient mounting means are provided in the hilt to mount thekey shank to the hilt and to secure themtogether to form a completedkey. The hilt comprises outer and inner telescoping parts, one of whichsubstantially encloses the other of said parts with the one part havinga first stage securing means to hold the other part in a substantiallypredetermined first partially assembled position whereby to receive thekey shank. The one part also has a second securing means to hold theother part in a second fully assembled position whereby the resilientmounting means of the hilt is moved and held to engage the shank tosecure the hilt parts and shank together in a fully assembled completedkey condition.

The shank end portion and the two part hilt portion is assembled byfirst assemblying one part of the two part hilt portion within the otherpart in a first position. Then the end opposite the lock portion of theshank is inserted and the hilt parts are moved relative to each other tosecure them together and the shank end portion therein to form acompleted key.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the two parts of the hilt asassembled. A portion of the sheath is broken away to indicate thelocation of the key shank;

FIG. 2 is another side elevational view of the hilt end portion withportions broken away to show the key shank;

FIG. 3 is a view of a shank end portion and the hilt in final assembledposition taken along the lines III-Ill of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of two portions of the hilt assembly shownpartially in cross section;

FIG. 5 is a view partially in cross section of the hilt and shankassembly during the first stage of installation; r

FIG. 6 is a view partially in cross section of the hilt assembly asformed prior to insertion'of the key tampering device taken along linesVI- -VI of FIG. 3; and

F IG; 7 is a view'partially in cross section of the total assembly.Also, to prevent tampering with, or unauthorized'or undetectable use of,the key, a sheath'is provided which will shear when tampered with, thusindicating to the next user of the key that the key shank has beentampered with and possibly placed in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT:

A detailed description of a preferred exemplary embodiment of themultiple part key, in accordance with the present invention, will now bemade with reference to the appended drawings. Referring firstly to FIG.1, the fully assembled key is illustrated with a shank 38 received in atwo part hilt, indicated generally at 2. Shank 38 is enclosed within asheath 50 secured in a manner as hereinafter disclosed to the two parthilt assembly. As seen in FIGS. 1 and 7, shank 38 is provided with afirst end which is suitably shaped for insertion into a lock. Theopposite end is provided for insertion into the hilt and includes means,as indentations 42, for being engaged by cooperating means, ashereinafter described, provided in the hilt. I

As is particularly contemplated within the present invention, the hiltis provided in two telescoping'parts, which when fully assembled, lockthemselves and the associated shank in assembled condition ready foruse. The two part hilt assembly is indicated generally at 2 in thedrawings. The hilt assembly is formed of a first inner part 4 and asecond, generally surrounding, outer part 6. These two parts may beassembled through a two stage operation, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6into the fully assembled position of FIG. 7 as hereinafter explained. 5v Inner hilt part 4 is provided with an aperture 8 for reception of akey chain therethrough. Outer hilt part 6 is also provided with a matingaperture 36, the apertures 8 and 36 being aligned forreception of a keychain, or the like, therethrough, as seen in FIG. 7 when the parts arefully assembled.

The inner hilt part 4 is provided with a guideway for reception of theopposite end of shank 38, such guideway being formed by the sidewalls l8and inner end wall 20 of part 4 as seen in FIGS. 4 through 7.

Cooperating means are provided in the hilt assembly for retaining orsecuring shank 38 thereto in an assembled relation. Such cooperatingmeans, in the exemplary embodiment, includes the provision of resilientfingers 12 depending from the major body portion of part 4. As seen inFIG. 5, the two opposed resilient finger portions 12 of part 4, formedintegrally thereof, are normally in a position in which they do notengage shank 38. However, because of the resiliency of the fingerportions 12 and the cooperation of the curved cooperating sidewalls 24and 26 of the outer hilt part, assembly of part 4 into part 6 fullycauses the finger portions 12 to be resiliently deformed into a shankgrasping and holding position of FIG. 6. As seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, outerpart 6 has opposed walls 32 forming a minor portion of the shankguideway provided in the hilt assembly.

In accordance with the key construction of the present invention,'thetwo part hilt assembly may be assembled in a two stage operation. Innerhilt part 4 is provided with outwardly projecting detents 10.Immediately inwardly of the two opposed detents l0, inner hilt part 4has cutout portions 44 in order to provide a resilient mounting of thedetents integrally of the main body of the part 4. The outer part 6-isprovided with apertures or indent portions 22 for a first stage ofassembly and apertures or indent portions 28 for receiving detents 10 ina second stage of assembly.

Referring now to FIG. 5, the inner and outer hilt parts are shown in afirst stage assembled condition. Inner part detents 10 are illustratedin engagement with outer part apertures or indentations 22. With thehilt parts in this first stage of assembly, the opposite end of shank38, from the free lock engaging end, may be inserted into the guidewayof the hilt formed by the outer part walls 32 and inner part walls 18and 20.

Following the first stage assembly illustrated in FIG. 5, afterinsertion of the shank 38 into the hilt parts, inner part 4 is movedinwardly of outer part 6 into the position of FIG. 6, which constitutesa second stage or final assembled condition for the hilt parts. As canbe seen by comparing FIGS. 5 and 6, movement of part 4 inwardly of part6, with detents l0 popping from indentat ions 22 to 28,moves theresilient finger portions 12 of the inner part down the inwardlyconvergent sidewalls 24 and 26 of the outer part to force the free endsof the fingerportions into locking engagement withthe indentations 42 inthe shank. The engagement between detents 10 of inner part 4 and theindentations or apertures 28 of outer part 6 hold the hilt parts in thefully assembled condition, as seen in FIG. 6, and thus hold theresilient finger portions 12 in the shank locking condition.

As also particularly contemplated within the present invention, meansare provided for preventing tampering or unauthorized use of themultiple part key construction of the present invention. In theexemplary embodiment, such means comprises the provision of a sheathsurrounding the portions of shank 38 in which the tumbler engagingportions 40 of the shank are provided. Such sheath 50 is shown inassembled condition in FIG. 1. In the condition of the key illustratedin FIG. 1, the shank 38 may not be placed in use without removal ofsheath 50. A transparent, or not, plastic material may be employed forconstruction of sheath 50, the material needing only sufficient strengthto withstand normal handling preparatory to breaking the sheath awayfrom the hilt at predetermined shear locations.

Frangible or shearing means are provided for mounting sheath to theassembled hilt parts in such a manner that the shank may not bewithdrawn from the sheath, through disassembly of the hilt parts, norcan the sheath be removed from the assembled hilt parts, withoutbreaking or shearing'predetermined portions of the mounting means. Inthe exemplary embodiment, such means comprise the provision of shearpins 52 and 54 as best seen in FIG. 7 on the upper ends of sheath 50.While sheath 50 is of generally rectangular hollow construction, pins 52and 54 are preferably solid pins provided at opposite end portions ofthe open upper end of sheath 50 as seen in FIG. 7, and in phantom linein FIG. 2. Each of the pins 52 and 54 is provided with a reduceddiameter portion 66 and 68, respectively, where the pins are expected toshear when the sheath is pulled from the hilt assembly.

Expandable split conical head portions 58 and 60 are provided at theupper free ends of each of the shear pins 52 and 54, as seen in FIG. 7,to facilitate a one-way assembly of the shear pins and associated sheathto the assembled hilt parts. As seen in FIG. 6, the .outer hilt part 6is provided with shear pin receiving passages or bores 56. The resilientfinger portions 12 of inner hilt part 4 are also provided with passagesor bores 58 which align with shear pin receiving bores 56 when the twohilt parts are in fully assembled relation, as seen in FIG. 6. With theparts in thus assembled relationship, the sheath and shear pins may beassembled by forcing the split conical heads 58 and 60 through the shearpin bores 56, 58 of the hilt parts until they pass therethrough, expandand thus lock shear pins 52 to the as sembled parts as seen in FIG. 7.By providing shear pins 52 through portions of both the inner and outerhilt parts as disclosed herein, the hilt parts may not be disassembledto allow a rearward withdrawal of shank 38 from sleeve 50 withoutdestruction of the shear pins.

As can be seen from the foregoing detailed description of a preferredexemplary embodiment of the multiple part key in accordance with thepresent invention, an extruded key shank may be easily assembled andsecurely grasped and held within a multiple part hilt via resilientportions provided on one portion or part of the hilt whichare held insuch shank engaging position due to the presence of the other, hiltpart, the two parts being more or less telescoped into assembledrelationship. Further, unauthorized use of the key is prevented throughthe provision of sheath 50. However, the key may bereadily and easilyplaced into authorized use by merely grasping the sheath and breaking itaway from the hilt via the frangible interconnecting means provided.Emergency pass keys or control keys may thus be maintained in anon-usable stored condition ready for use when needed. In the event ofan unauthorized entry-of a locked area, the use or non-use of the passkey can be easily determined by merely checking to see whether the passkey sheath has been broken from the hilt or not.

Having thus described a preferred exemplary embodiment of the multiplepart key construction in accordance with the present invention, itshould be understood by those skilled in the art that variousmodifications, alterations and adaptations thereof may be made withinthe scope of the present invention which is defined by the followingclaims.

I claim:

1. In a multiple part key having a separate shank and hilt, the shankincluding a first end which is suitably shaped for insertion into a lockand an opposite end for insertion into the hilt and having means thereonfor engagement by cooperating means in the hilt, the improvement in hiltconstruction comprising the provision of:

a first hilt part for receiving said shank opposite end portion andincluding said cooperating means, the latter having resilient means forengaging said shank received therein, said resilient means of said firsthilt part being normally in a non-engaging position relative to saidshank opposite end received in said first hilt part before assembly ofsaid hilt part; and

a second hilt part for assembly to said first hilt part and includingmeans for holding said resilient means in a shank engaging portion uponassembly to said first hilt part, said second hilt part being providedwith means for engaging and moving said resilient means into said shankengaging position upon assembly of said hilt parts, said shank beingthereby retained in said hilt.

2. In a multiple part key having a separate shank and hilt, the shankincluding a first end which is suitably shaped for insertion into a lockand an opposite end for insertion into the hilt and having means thereonfor engagement by cooperating means in the hilt, the improvement in hiltconstruction comprising the provision of: i

a first hilt part for receiving said shank opposite end portion andincluding said cooperating means, the latter having resilient means forengaging said shank received therein;

va second hilt part for assembly to said first hilt part and includingmeans for holding said resilient means in a shank engaging portion uponassembly to said first hilt part, said shank being thereby retained insaid hilt; and wherein said first and second hilt portions have detentmeans thereon for holding said portions in assembled relation.

3. In a'multiple part key having a separate shank and hilt,'the shankincludinga first end which is suitably shaped for insertion into a lockand an opposite end for insertion into the hilt and having means thereonfor engagement by cooperating means in the hilt, the improvement in hiltconstruction comprising theprovision of:

a first hilt part for receiving said shank opposite end portion andincluding said cooperating means, the latter having resilient means forengaging said shank received therein;

a second hilt part for assembly to said first hilt part and includingmeans for holding said resilient means in a shank engaging portion uponassembly to said first hilt part, said shank being thereby retained insaid hilt;

sheath means for encasing a key shank free end including tumblerengaging portions thereof; and

frangible mounting means for mounting said sheath to said hilt, removalof said sheath to place said shank into use with a lock requiringbreaking of said frangible mounting.

4. The improvement in multiple part key of claim 3 wherein saidfrangible mounting means comprises:

shear pins formed integrally of said sheath.

5. The improvement in multiple part key of claim 3 wherein saidfrangible mounting means comprises:

shear pin means provided on said sheath;

pin mounting bores formed through aligned portions of both of said twohilt parts when in assembled relation; and

means on the free ends of each of said shear pins for preventingwithdrawal of said pins from said bores after assembly thereof tothereby require breaking of said mounting means to remove said sheathfrom said hilt. I

6. A multiple part key for use in a conventional lock comprising:

a key shank having an end portion suitably shaped for insertion into alock and having an opposite end portion including indentations thereinproviding a first stop portion facing toward said one end portion;

a separate hilt means having a key shank guideway therein which opens toa surface thereof for receiving the opposite end portion of the shanktherein, and

mounting means associated with both the key shank and hilt for securingthem together to form a completed key, said mounting means comprisingouter and inner hilt parts, said outer hilt part substantially'enclosingsaid inner hilt part, said parts having first detent means for holdingthem in a first position of partial assembly to facilitate reception ofsaid key shank and second detent means for holding them in a fullyassembled position, said mounting means being operated into a shankmounting condition by the assembly of said parts, to secure togethersaid completed key.

7. A multiple part key, according to claim 6 wherein said mounting meansincludes resilient finger portions formed on said inner hilt part andmating indentations on said outer hilt part.

8. The method of assembling a key shank and a hilt member having a firstand second parts which comprises:

inserting said second hilt part into said first hilt part to a'firstpredetermined partially assembled interlocked position,

inserting said key shank into a guideway formed by said first and secondparts, and thereafter moving said second hilt part still further intosaid first hilt part intoa fully assembled interlocked positionand'thereby locking said shank against withdrawal therefrom v wherebysaid hilt parts and said key shank together to form a complete key.

9. In a multiple part'key for use in a conventional lock, said keyincluding a keyshank having one end suitably shaped for insertion into'alock and having an opposite end for insertioninto a hilt, said oppositeend portion having detent means, the improvement comprising theprovision of: i

a separate two part hilt portion for receiving said opposite end portionof said shank, resilientfinger means on said hilt portion adapted toengage said detent means on said shank, and i interlock 7 8 meansprovided in said hilt for forcing said finger to thereby indicatetampering.

means into said shank detent means upon assembly 11. In a two part hiltassembly for holding a key of said two part hilt parts together. shank,the improvement comprising: 10. A tamper-proof key comprising: fingermeans on one of said hilt portions, said finger a hilt portion forreceiving a key shank; means being adapted to be received by detents ona cover for said key shank adapted to be received said key shank whensaid shank is assembled to said around said key shank; one of said hiltportions; and shearable means on said cover for mounting said means onthe other of said hilt portions adapted to cover to said hilt, and forcesaid finger means into engagement with said means on said hilt portionfor receiving said shear- 10 key shank detents upon assembly of saidparts toable means whereby removal of said cover from gether. said hiltrequired shearing of saidshearable means

1. In a multiple part key having a separate shank and hilt, the shankincluding a first end which is suitably shaped for insertion into a lockand an opposite end for insertion into the hilt and having means thereonfor engagement by cooperating means in the hilt, the improvement in hiltconstruction comprising the provision of: a first hilt part forreceiving said shank opposite end portion and including said cooperatingmeans, the latter having resilient means for engaging said shankreceived therein, said resilient means of said first hilt part beingnormally in a non-engaging position relative to said shank opposite endreceived in said first hilt part before assembly of said hilt part; anda second hilt part for assembly to said first hilt part and includingmeans for holding said resilient means in a shank engaging portion uponassembly to said first hilt part, said second hilt part being providedwith means for engaging and moving said resilient means into said shankengaging position upon assembly of said hilt parts, said shank beingthereby retained in said hilt.
 2. In a multiple part key having aseparate shank and hilt, the shank including a first end which issuitably shaped for insertion into a lock and an opposite end forinsertion into the hilt and having means thereon for engagement bycooperating means in the hilt, the improvement in hilt constructioncomprising the provision of: a first hilt part for receiving said shankopposite end portion and including said cooperating means, the latterhaving resilient means for engaging said shank received therein; asecond hilt part for assembly to said first hilt part and includingmeans for holding said resilient means in a shank engaging portion uponassembly to said first hilt part, said shank being thereby retained insaid hilt; and wherein said first and second hilt portions have detentmeans thereon for holding said portions in assembled relation.
 3. In amultiple part key having a separate shank and hilt, the shank includinga first end which is suitably shaped for insertion into a lock and anopposite end for insertion into the hilt and having means thereon forengagement by cooperating means in the hilt, the improvement in hiltconstruction comprising the provision of: a first hilt part forreceiving said shank opposite end portion and including said cooperatingmeans, the latter having resilient means for engaging said shankreceived therein; a second hilt part for assembly to said first hiltpart and including means for holding said resilient means in a shankengaging portion upon assembly to said first hilt part, said shank beingthereby retained in said hilt; sheath means for encasing a key shankfree end including tumbler engaging portions thereof; and frangiblemounting means for mounting said sheath to said hilt, removal of saidsheath to place said shank into use with a lock requiring breaking ofsaid frangible mounting.
 4. The improvement in multiple part key ofclaim 3 wherein said frangible mounting means comprises: shear pinsformed integrally of said sheath.
 5. The improvement in multiple partkey of claim 3 wherein said frangible mounting means comprises: shearpin means provided on said sheath; pin mounting bores formed throughaligned portions of both of said two hilt parts when in assembledrelation; and means on the free ends of each of said shear pins forpreventing withdrawal of said pins from said bores after assemblythereof to thereby require breaking of said mounting means to removesaid sheath from said hilt.
 6. A multiple part key for use in aconventional lock comprising: a key shank having an end portion suitablyshaped for insertion into a lock and having an opposite end portionincluding indentations therein providing a first stop portion facingtoward said one end portion; a separate hilt means having a key shankguideway therein which opens to a surface thereof for receiving theopposite end portion of the shank therein, and mounting means associatedwith both the key shank and hilt for securing them together to form acompleted key, said mounting means comprising outer and inner hiltparts, said outer hilt part substantially enclosing said inner hiltpart, said parts having first detent means for holding them in a firstposition of partial assembly to facilitate reception of said key shankand second detent means for holding them in a fully assembled position,said mounting means being operated into a shank mounting condition bythe assembly of said parts, to secure together said completed key.
 7. Amultiple part key, according to claim 6 wherein said mounting meansincludes resilient finger portions formed on said inner hilt part andmating indentations on said outer hilt part.
 8. The method of assemblinga key shank and a hilt member having a first and second parts whichcomprises: inserting said second hilt part into said first hilt part toa first predetermined partially assembled interlocked poSition,inserting said key shank into a guideway formed by said first and secondparts, and thereafter moving said second hilt part still further intosaid first hilt part into a fully assembled interlocked position andthereby locking said shank against withdrawal therefrom whereby saidhilt parts and said key shank interlock together to form a complete key.9. In a multiple part key for use in a conventional lock, said keyincluding a key shank having one end suitably shaped for insertion intoa lock and having an opposite end for insertion into a hilt, saidopposite end portion having detent means, the improvement comprising theprovision of: a separate two part hilt portion for receiving saidopposite end portion of said shank, resilient finger means on said hiltportion adapted to engage said detent means on said shank, and meansprovided in said hilt for forcing said finger means into said shankdetent means upon assembly of said two part hilt parts together.
 10. Atamper-proof key comprising: a hilt portion for receiving a key shank; acover for said key shank adapted to be received around said key shank;shearable means on said cover for mounting said cover to said hilt, andmeans on said hilt portion for receiving said shearable means wherebyremoval of said cover from said hilt required shearing of said shearablemeans to thereby indicate tampering.
 11. In a two part hilt assembly forholding a key shank, the improvement comprising: finger means on one ofsaid hilt portions, said finger means being adapted to be received bydetents on said key shank when said shank is assembled to said one ofsaid hilt portions; and means on the other of said hilt portions adaptedto force said finger means into engagement with said key shank detentsupon assembly of said parts together.